Burlington man to change plea Thursday

Hieheem Kirkland is accused of impeding and assaulting a police officer in July

Nov. 13, 2013

Written by

Elizabeth Murray

Free Press Staff Writer

A Burlington man accused of impeding and assaulting a police officer in July is set for a change of plea hearing Thursday afternoon at Vermont Superior Court in Burlington.

Hieheem Kirkland, 21, pleaded not guilty to charges in early July following an altercation with Burlington police Sgt. Brad Trombley on Spring Street in Burlington’s Old North End, which ended with him, his mother Susalyn Kirkland and two minors being arrested.

Chittenden County State’s Attorney T.J. Donovan declined to comment on the details of the change of plea Wednesday afternoon.

Kirkland’s defense attorney William Norful did not immediately return a phone call made after hours seeking comment.

According to court papers, Trombley went to the apartment after neighbors complained about a juvenile shooting a pellet gun. Upon his arrival, a group of young men, including Kirkland, allegedly prevented Trombley from retrieving the gun. When Trombley tried to stop one of them from leaving the scene, he was punched in the jaw, according to sworn police statements.

According to court papers, Trombley was punched in the face multiple times, had his uniform ripped and his radio thrown aside, and then had his arm bitten before he could gain control of the situation.

During the assault, Trombley heard a male yell, “I’m going to shoot you in the... head,” and then looked up quickly to see Hieheem Kirkland in the window of the apartment, according to court papers.

“Knowing that he had responded to this residence for a gun incident and not knowing if the firearm was real he feared for his life,” Detective Cpl. Daniel Gilligan wrote in a police affidavit. Trombley then drew his gun and ordered the suspects to stop or he would shoot, Gilligan wrote.

Interviewed outside her apartment in July following her arraignment, Susalyn Kirkland said the police acted out of “prejudice” because she and her sons are African-American.

Susalyn Kirkland also pleaded not guilty in July to impeding a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. She will appear in court for a status hearing on Nov. 25.

Hieheem Kirkland maintained his innocence in an August letter to the Burlington Free Press titled “Innocent Man and Jail.”

“I was upstairs the whole time because I [was] working at Wendy’s 40 hours plus overtime,” he wrote. “What I’m trying to say is I don’t have time to be playing little kids games with anyone at this point in my life because when I get home I want to go right to bed, nothing more... I really am a loving, caring person in heart and would never hurt anyone.”